Iraq has put F-16 warplanes acquired from the United States into action against the Islamic State group for the first time, the commander of the air force said Sunday, according to AFP .
In Washington, Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook said the United States "commend the Iraqi air force for its successful use of this cutting-edge aircraft in the international campaign to degrade and ultimately defeat" ISIS.
"The United States is committed to building a strategic partnership with Iraq and the Iraqi people and we will continue to work with the government of Iraq on the delivery of the remaining aircraft as they become available within the framework of the production schedule," Cook said, according to AFP .
